Alfa Romeo retain Raikkonen and Giovinazzi for 2021 F1 season
Alfa Romeo will continue with its current driver line-up consisting of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi for the 2021 Formula 1 season.
The Swiss squad will field an unchanged driver line-up for the third successive season in F1, with 41-year-old Raikkonen set to embark on a 19th season in the sport with the team he made his debut with back in 2001.
Italian Giovinazzi has been retained alongside the 2007 season to contest his third full season in F1, with Alfa Romeo opting for continuity for 2021 as it announced its driver plans ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
“Alfa Romeo Racing is more than a team to me, it is like a second family,” said Raikkonen.
"So many of the faces that were around me when I made my Formula 1 debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that extra motivation to keep going in what will be my 19th season in the sport, next year.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the team’s project and in what we feel we can achieve together,” he added.
“This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my style. I am looking forward to next year and hopefully making some steps forward towards the front of the midfield with the team.”
Giovinazzi’s future was uncertain but Alfa Romeo and Ferrari - which has a sway over one of the seats at the Hinwil outfit - have decided to back the Italian for another season.
“The team has put a lot of faith in me and I have done my best to repay this confidence with hard work and commitment,” Giovinazzi said.
“We have achieved some good results and I feel I have done my part to make the team progress, but the road ahead is still long and there is much more we want to achieve together.”
Alfa Romeo has endured a difficult 2020 campaign and currently lies eighth in the constructors’ championship on five points, with Giovinazzi scoring three of them and Raikkonen two.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur added: “I am very pleased for the team to continue working with Kimi and Antonio for another season.
“Kimi is a driver who needs no introduction: his talent has been clear to everyone since 2001 and I still see the passion and motivation in him every time I see him at work.
“He can be trusted to deliver 100% of what the car can produce and he is a true leader for the people working around him. Antonio finished last year’s campaign strongly and he picked up where he left off and kept improving throughout 2020.
“From the track to the engineering briefings, Antonio has played a crucial role for our team and he has thoroughly deserved a new contract for 2021. His work ethic, commitment to the team and contagious enthusiasm are a huge asset for Alfa Romeo Racing.”
